Re: Speed Limit- 80 MPH

september · ‎03-09-2010

The six states where this speed limit is legal in certain areas are all in the West and I've driven in five of them. These roads are not congested (often, you feel quite alone out there) and this speed limit is appropriate.

SydneyH · ‎03-10-2010

@september wrote:
The six states where this speed limit is legal in certain areas are all in the West and I've driven in five of them. These roads are not congested (often, you feel quite alone out there) and this speed limit is appropriate.

That's an important component in this conversation imo, when I first moved to my present location 17 years ago, there was no congestion at any time on the 2 lane highway. Now there are demands to widen it soo Staties are more than happy to see a flow, in fact at this point those who are driving slowly are a hazard for the most part.

Vamp · ‎04-14-2010

if you've ever driven through those long stretches in South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and Nevada, 80 mph is very reasonable. Flat, straight, and little traffic.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@september wrote:
The six states where this speed limit is legal in certain areas are all in the West and I've driven in five of them. These roads are not congested (often, you feel quite alone out there) and this speed limit is appropriate.

@september

As much as people like to think parts failures are non-existent on the motor vehicles of today? Traffic or no traffic, speed can and does still kill drivers and passengers, regardless of the type of road.

Most tires are still made of rubber. Sure, unlike the tires of past decades where almost everyone had a flat tire if they drove often enough, today it is much more unlikely. But, unlike Race Track Cars, not many tires(wheels) have an inner liner that allows the driver to still control vehicle when one tire has a blowout.

I have seen about every different type of part failures in vehicles, some with tragic endings, even on race tracks with race built vehicles. Last week's Nascar Race at Kansas Speedway was one of them.

To my knowledge of knowing thousands of people, not many know how to react should a front tire blowout. That could be a matter of life and death in certain situations. The faster the speeds, the more heat in the tires, and tires expand with heat, as do all metal parts.

Sure, this is unlikely to happen to many of us, but not impossible. I like speed as a former race car driver and still fan, and I also know the risks inherent that comes with speed. Unfortunately, too many drivers overrate their driving skills and do not respect the motor vehicles they are steering down the roadway.

For me there is always time to get to my destination driving a vehicle on a public roadway. I always allow plenty of time, yes even when commuting daily while working. If I am late, I am late. Everyone has the same 24 hours n a day, how they schedule and follow that schedule is on them.

The speed limit could be 100mph and some drivers would still need(want) to exceed it. They are late/the road is safe/the other drivers are slow pokes, and on and on with the reasons(excuses to me). They are the worlds best driver(but unfortunately, only in their own mind).

hckynut(john)

Qshopper1991 · ‎08-15-2014

IMO, this is very foolish.

Now people will be driving 85 - 90+.

Yeah, that's real safe

I pray that they don't make those stupid laws here in NJ. The Jersey drivers are horrible driving normal speed limits. I can't imagine how they would drive doing 80.

Susan-QVC · ‎06-14-2015

@software @Suziepeach I was down visiting my family in Hot Lanta a week or so ago, driving from Hartfield Airport to my old stomping grounds took me up 75N thru Marietta and the traffic was no problem at all, in fact I think I may have been able to do 75-80mph most of the way

Susan Q-Social

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

Vamp wrote:
if you've ever driven through those long stretches in South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and Nevada, 80 mph is very reasonable. Flat, straight, and little traffic.

Exactly! I'm surprised that some people seem to be thinking that this is an 'across the board' thing.

It does NOT means that there are 80mph speed limits in congested areas, or through cities/towns. It's long, straight, stretches of FREEWAY out in the middle of nowhere.

There always were, at least here in NV, exceptions to the higher speed limits to account for certain weather conditions. So it's not like it's snowing and blowing, and the speed limit is still 80.

Plaid Pants2 · ‎03-14-2015

@chickenbutt wrote:
@Vamp wrote:
if you've ever driven through those long stretches in South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and Nevada, 80 mph is very reasonable. Flat, straight, and little traffic.

Exactly! I'm surprised that some people seem to be thinking that this is an 'across the board' thing.

It does NOT means that there are 80mph speed limits in congested areas, or through cities/towns. It's long, straight, stretches of FREEWAY out in the middle of nowhere.

There always were, at least here in NV, exceptions to the higher speed limits to account for certain weather conditions. So it's not like it's snowing and blowing, and the speed limit is still 80.

But that's just it. People DO drive over the speed limit in ALL kinds of weather.

It could be pouring rain, and people will still drive over the speed limit.

They think that hydroplaning can't/won't happen to them.

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

Plaid Pants2 wrote:
chickenbutt wrote:
Vamp wrote:
if you've ever driven through those long stretches in South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and Nevada, 80 mph is very reasonable. Flat, straight, and little traffic.

Exactly! I'm surprised that some people seem to be thinking that this is an 'across the board' thing.

It does NOT means that there are 80mph speed limits in congested areas, or through cities/towns. It's long, straight, stretches of FREEWAY out in the middle of nowhere.

There always were, at least here in NV, exceptions to the higher speed limits to account for certain weather conditions. So it's not like it's snowing and blowing, and the speed limit is still 80.

But that's just it. People DO drive over the speed limit in ALL kinds of weather.

It could be pouring rain, and people will still drive over the speed limit.

They think that hydroplaning can't/won't happen to them.

Hey Plaid! Oh, I know. Nothing is going to change that, unfortunately. The majority of people tend to follow the rules of common sense. But it just takes one idiot to wreak havoc. That's the unfortunate reality in which we live, I guess.

Qshopper1991 · ‎08-15-2014

@gardenman

I live in NJ and I drive all of those roads, so I understand what you mean.

But to be honest with you, I stay the speed limit and I stay in the right lane. People pass, but some people don't.

I look at it this way - if you speed, you are risking getting a huge ticket and lots of points. For me, it's not worth it. So I hit cruise control, kick back and enjoy the view